Attn smokers

[Jen]

.

[CarolinaCutie]

Most everyone I know smokes Marlboro Lights or Camel Lights. When I do smoke, I prefer Marlboro Lights. People who like cheaper cigarettes may smoke Parliaments. I know that's not the answer to most of your questions, but it's a start.

Also consider menthol vs. regular? I hate menthol cigarettes but that's all some people will smoke.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by ariesrising
Cigarette smokers that is =)

Need some help for a story.

We have different cigarette brands here in Canada, and my story is set in the US and I need a little info for a scene where the characters all talk about their cigarette preferences.

What brands are most common and what would you expect to see teenagers smoking circa the mid 80s to 90s? Do particular brands have a particular image? What would you be more likely to see older people smoke vs younger, or girls vs guys? Would certain brands be more popular with certain ethnic groups (and for what reason do you think)? What about cigarette sizes, light vs regular vs ultra etc etc.

What would you say the big differences are with different brands etc?

(And if any of you are...cross border smokers lol...what brands in Canada do you think are close to American brands, like if you couldn't get your Canadian brand in the US, which would be closest to yours?)

Most common for teenagers in 90s: Newport or Marlboro

Brand image: Marlboro are more expensive yet with the Marlboro man I guess it might be seen as a "tougher" cigarette. Virginia Slims and Capri seem more girlie. Newports are kinda neutral, and kinda cheap.

I don't see many men smoking lights, at least in this area when we're out at the bar. That could also have to do with gender and a "tough" image. Who knows. I'm making this all up according to my experience and what I've seen.

[valkyrie]

I was a "social smoker" in the early 90s, and I usually smoked Camel lights, but once in a while I'd smoke menthols -- really, really horrible. There was always a big Camel/Marlboro split. Most people I knew smoked Camels and wouldn't touch Marlboros.

FWIW, Mr. valkyrie smokes American Spirits -- they're "100% additive-free natural tobacco." I smoke like 12 cigarettes a year, but actually like these and they don't make the car smell as bad as other cigarettes. If he can't get those for whatever reason, he smokes Camels. I don't know how common these were in the past -- or where. I'd never heard of them in Chicago but they're fairly common around here -- so it also depends on where your story is taking place.

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I was a "social smoker" in the early 90s, and I usually smoked Camel lights, but once in a while I'd smoke menthols -- really, really horrible. There was always a big Camel/Marlboro split. Most people I knew smoked Camels and wouldn't touch Marlboros.

FWIW, Mr. valkyrie smokes American Spirits -- they're "100% additive-free natural tobacco." I smoke like 12 cigarettes a year, but actually like these and they don't make the car smell as bad as other cigarettes. If he can't get those for whatever reason, he smokes Camels. I don't know how common these were in the past -- or where. I'd never heard of them in Chicago but they're fairly common around here -- so it also depends on where your story is taking place.

My cousin smokes American Spirits. She loves them. I tried one, and I think the main reason I didn't like it is because I've been smoking menthol for so long. I should really get away from it though... well smoking altogether but menthol first.

[33girl]

Mid 80's to 90's - girls smoked Salems, VA Slims or Marlboro Lights.

Guys smoked regular Marlboros or Camels.

Trailer trash smoked Newports.



Incidentally - I smoke Parliaments now, and they're really not that much cheaper than Marlboros. Maybe that's a state to state thing.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Cigarettes cost between $6 and $7 per pack now in NYC. I hear they're cheaper everywhere else.

In the 80s the girls with the big Aquanet hair smoked Marlboro Lights. Those girls frightened me.

I don't remember any guys I knew smoking since they were athletic.

[Jill1228]

I quit smoking in February 1997. My smoke of choice was Marlboro lights 100s. Occasionally I would smoke Camel Lights.


On the rare occasions I smoked a menthol, it would be Salem Slim lights or Virginia Slims lights 120s

My sister smokes Newport 100s...back when I was smoking I would rather go without a cigarette than smoke a Newport! Blech!

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by 33girl
Mid 80's to 90's - girls smoked Salems, VA Slims or Marlboro Lights.

Guys smoked regular Marlboros or Camels.

Trailer trash smoked Newports.



Incidentally - I smoke Parliaments now, and they're really not that much cheaper than Marlboros. Maybe that's a state to state thing.

I don't like Parliament for some reason. I think the filter freaks me out. Why is that space there?

PNC... yeah they are way cheaper elsewhere. We get them for about $5 here. My friends that went on Spring Break got them for like $2 a pack down in Panama city. Lucky bitches. My uncle goes to Ohio and Kentucky sometimes and gets them for cheaper. It's all about that cigarette tax.

[FAB*SpiceySpice]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
I don't like Parliament for some reason. I think the filter freaks me out. Why is that space there?

When I smoke, I love Parliaments FOR the filter...I can't smoke regular cigarettes now, they feel weird. I like to bite on the filter and pretend that my teeth are staying white b/c I do that (in reality it's b/c I bleach them, prob. too much and I don't really smoke unless I'm drinking anyway)

And where on earth are Parliaments cheaper than Marlboro's etc? They seem to be more expensive wherever I go?


/hijack

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by valkyrie
I was a "social smoker" in the early 90s, and I usually smoked Camel lights, but once in a while I'd smoke menthols -- really, really horrible. There was always a big Camel/Marlboro split. Most people I knew smoked Camels and wouldn't touch Marlboros.

I was in that split in the late 90s. I would not TOUCH a Marlboro. I remember thinking they smelled horrible, but Camel's smelled nice or something. Weird, I know.

The cig I smoked for the longest was Camel Ultralight 100s.

[Tom Earp]

Marllboro=Philip Morris Pronounces it self as The King of Cigs.

Whites usaully go for In My Shop Marlboros or Winston! If not that, the Cheapest Cigs. GPC, Basic, Dorals, ETC!

Blacks Prefer Menthol such as Newport or Kools.

Younger kids who want to emulate will do Menthol! Cant stand them Myself!

Being in the in Group means going with the peer presure!

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by FAB*SpiceySpice
When I smoke, I love Parliaments FOR the filter...I can't smoke regular cigarettes now, they feel weird. I like to bite on the filter and pretend that my teeth are staying white b/c I do that (in reality it's b/c I bleach them, prob. too much and I don't really smoke unless I'm drinking anyway)

And where on earth are Parliaments cheaper than Marlboro's etc? They seem to be more expensive wherever I go?


/hijack

When I smoked, we were all about the Parliaments...maybe because we were pretend Eurotrash and tried a little too hard. Oh, those and Galouises (sp?). The boy smokes some types of Camels.

In the 80s, I think most people smoked Marlboro Reds.

[PhoenixAzul]

Originally posted by Munchkin03
When I smoked, we were all about the Parliaments...maybe because we were pretend Eurotrash and tried a little too hard. Oh, those and Galouises (sp?). The boy smokes some types of Camels.

In the 80s, I think most people smoked Marlboro Reds.

Most people in Europe roll their own cigarettes because manufactured ones are ungodly expensive, especially in the UK.

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
I was in that split in the late 90s. I would not TOUCH a Marlboro. I remember thinking they smelled horrible, but Camel's smelled nice or something. Weird, I know.

The cig I smoked for the longest was Camel Ultralight 100s.

Haha yes, I smoked those, too. I even smoked Virginia Slims 110s on occasion -- OH TEH HORROR.

Aries, whether your characters would like Marlboros or Camels really depends on several factors, heh.

Also, teenagers in the working class suburbs of Chicago tended to smoke Newports, or so I hear.